State-of-the art cineplex scheduled to open Friday

On the verge of opening the largest motion picture cinema in the tri-county area’s history, Corbin’s Greg and Suzie Rasmus still manage moments now and again to revel in the moment.
“We’re excited,” Suzie Razmus says.
“And nervous,” her husband, Greg, chimes in almost on cue.
No wonder.
After hours upon hours of architechtural planning, site preparation and foundation work, principal construction on the eight-theater Tri-County Cineplex has taken place in just under 60 days. Located on Cumberland Falls Hwy between O’Malley’s Eater and Pub and Burger King, the massive theater has been the object of nervous anticipation for quite some time.
In between overseeing details of the construction, and hashing out agreements with film booking agents, concession suppliers and others, the couple says they’ve heard nothing but positive comments from the community.
“People I didn’t even think knew me would come up and aks when we are opening and what we are going to show and everything,” Suzie Razmus said. “We’ve received a great outpouring of support from this community.”
“We wanted to offer a state-of-the-art theater. We though this community deserved it. We are movie-goers ourselves and we wanted a place where we could watch movies and be wowed.”
Intrguingly decorated with a classical, yet still modern sense, the Tri-County Cineplex has much to offer to the casual theater-goer to more hardcore cinephiles. Spacious stadium seating in every theater with comfortable lean back seats allows plenty of room for movement in the aisles, and ensures no seat is a bad one. And each theater is equipped with the latest Dolby DTS digital sound technology.
“It’s the kind of thing wher it doesn’t have to be cranked up really loud to hear it or get the right feel,” Greg Razmus said. “It’s a nice surround sound at a very nice level. I think people will really appreciated it.”
The eight auditoriums range in size from 102 seats up to 265 seats.
There is an arcade and a party room near the theater’s box office. As a novelty touch, previews for coming attractions will play constantly on a screen that looms above the lobby area. Greg Razmus said he originally wanted old black-and-white silent movies to be playing on the screen, but was unable to make it happen.
“We wanted to generate some excitement in the lobby, right when people walked into the theater,” Greg Razmus said. “We thought it was a neat idea.”
The theater will employ about 30 people.
The Razmuses say they studied theater construction diligently before jumping into the project. TK Architects, from Kansas City, MS (theater design specialists) drew up the plans and Sunbelt Construction from Bowling Green was the main contractor on the project.
Originally wanting to be open by Thanksgiving Day, Greg Razmus said construction took a little longer than first hoped, but was done faster than contracts demanded.
“Due to some hold ups we had getting this project started, all the subcontractors have been under tremendous pressure and really came through and build us a beautiful building,” he said. “No corners have been cut. Every one of them was pleasant to work with.”
On Thursday, the Tri-County Cineplex will hold an open house and the general public is invited to attend. The event will also serve as a toy and food drive for the Empty Stocking Fund and the local Food Pantry. Admission is free as long as you bring either one non-perishable food item or one unopened toy. Pepsi and popcorn will be served for $1. Blockbuster movies from the summer will be playing in all the theaters. Movies include: I, Robot, Spider Man 2, Shrek 2, Elf, The Day After Tomorrow, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and The Princess Diaries 2.
The theater will officially open Friday. Look for movie titles and showtimes listed in the News Journal. Prices will be $6.25 for adults and $4 for children.
Greg Razmus said the theater plans offer matinee showings seven days a week to start, and will keep or cancel matinees based on attendance.